Ora Washington: The champion the world ignored. You might know this tennis and basketball star, were it not for the colour of her skin.
Renee Montgomery investigates Ora’s story.
Ora Washington: The champion the world ignored. You might know this tennis and basketball star, were it not for the colour of her skin.
Renee Montgomery investigates Ora’s story.
Copyright: © (C) BBC 2022
The Queen of two courts. Ora Washington is the star the world ignored. It’s time everyone knew her name. Ora was a black tennis champion in the era of racial segregation in the United States. She was a basketball star too.
Hosted by Renee Montgomery, former basketball player, the co-owner of the WNBA team, Atlanta Dream and a self-described “sports history geek”. Discover Ora’s story from 29 August 2022.
Who was Ora Washington? The southern farm girl who wanted more. But recognition came too late – why was the guest of honour at a star-studded event missing? Ora was a brilliant tennis and basketball player who fought to make her name in racially segregated America. We find out about her early life in Virginia. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
“She loved to compete”: Ora takes her first tennis lesson. But race, sex and class prejudice stand in her way. It’s the 1920s and Ora has gone north to Philadelphia – a city of opportunity and danger. Racial tensions are high in her neighbourhood. What motivates her to start playing the so-called ‘gentleman’s game’? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Can she beat the best? Ora is the underdog against the crowd favourite, the formidable Isadora “Izzy” Channels of Chicago. It’s a brutally hot day in Harlem and the mood is tense. Everything is at stake. If Ora wins, she joins the black tennis elite. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Basketball beckons. The elite tennis player tries a new sport – and it’s a crowd puller. Ora’s quickness and agility translate to the basketball court, as her career takes off in tandem with tennis. But does America have room for a true queen of two courts? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Ora is at the peak of her sports, but off the court, stars are expected to appear “sufficiently feminine”. If you didn’t, you faced prejudice. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. This episode was updated on 29 September 2022, to correct some information about the basketball coach, Joe Rainey #UntoldLegends
Cracks appear after two decades at the top of black tennis. A new generation of elite athletes want her crown. But is Ora ready to retire? Her hair is greying now and she wears glasses on court. Can she pull off one more victory – against future great Althea Gibson - under the hot Alabama sun? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
“Possibly the best female athlete” of her era – why was Ora Washington forgotten? And we meet her family, who are relieved that their Aunt Ora’s achievements are now being acknowledged: “I felt so good that now, even though this is 2022, she's still being recognised”. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
A bonus episode from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast – The Black 14. Sport, racism and protests are about to change the lives of “the Black 14” American footballers. It’s 1969 in the United States. They’ve arrived on scholarships at the University of Wyoming to play for its Cowboys American football team. It was a predominantly white college. The team is treated like a second religion. Then, the players make a decision to take a stand against racism in a game against another university. This is episode one of a four-part season from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast. Content warning: This episode contains lived experiences which involve the use of strong racist language